Tetzaveh in a Nutshell

Exodus 27:20–30:10

The priestly garments, to be worn by the kohanim (priests) while serving in the Sanctuary, are described. All kohanim wore: 1) the ketonet—a full-length linen tunic; 2) michnasayim—linen breeches; 3) mitznefet or migba’at—a linen turban; 4) avnet—a long sash wound above the waist.

In addition, the kohen gadol (high priest) wore: 5) the efod—an apron-like garment made of blue-, purple- and red-dyed wool, linen and gold thread; 6) the choshen—a breastplate containing twelve precious stones inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; 7) the me’il—a cloak of blue wool, with gold bells and decorative pomegranates on its hem; 8) the tzitz—a golden plate worn on the forehead, bearing the inscription “Holy to G‑d.”

Tetzaveh also includes G‑d’s detailed instructions for the seven-day initiation of Aaron and his four sons—Nadav, Avihu, Elazar and Itamar—into the priesthood, and for the making of the golden altar, on which the ketoret(incense) was burned.

I attended the Torah reading at Valley Beth Israel in Sun Valley, California, and even had the honor of carrying the Torah prior to and subsequent to the reading. It was the second time I was permitted to do so.
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Now I know where the disco bell bottoms and butterfly colors came from.I am a 70's child.my favorite son was 'staying alive'.wow!!it always was cool to be colorful.thank God for making feel better about my self.amen
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Dianas input
Thank you for your input. it makes it easier for me a new convert to understand. I do agree that everything we do, say, feel, and every action done has impact everyday. Thank you again.
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BarryAugusta, KSMarch 2, 2012

Gerson McGreevey
Gerson, Are you still in Wichita? I only ask because I live in Augusta and I am always looking for other Torah observant people!
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ShawnBoston, MAMarch 2, 2012

the 12 gemstones
Any thoughts on the connection between this list of 12 precious stones and the 9 in Ezekiel 28?
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Dianne MuldersWhangarei, New ZealandMarch 1, 2012

kohen gadol
Rabbi Mordechai Gifter (of the Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland, 20th century) said that if a righteous man would ever so slightly move one foot several inches, his motion would be heard. This teaches that everything we do, even the seemingly insignificant Mitzvot that we perform, have an impact.

Rabbi Moshe Alshich (Israel, 1508-1593) taught: the bells and pomegranates were placed in alternating fashion: a bell, followed by a pomegranate, followed by a bell, followed by a pomegranate, and so on.

As the Talmud teaches, for every measure of speech one should have two measures of silence. The Torah thus emphasizes that each bell – each sound that a person makes – must be surrounded by two silent pomegranates. "Seyag La'chochma Shetika" – reticence is the safeguard of wisdom
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Gerson McGreeveyMarch 1, 2012

High Priest and the Torah scroll
I am not aware of the source of these connections. However here are some things that come to mind:

The Torah is wrapped with a sash, like the priests.

Both the High Priest and the Torah crown have bells attached so that people can know when they are coming and respect them accordingly.
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DerekFort Smith, ARFebruary 28, 2012

How does this relate
I know that many of the items we use to "dress" the Torah scrolls with are based on things presented here. I will be conducting Friday night Shabbat service at my schul, and would love to point some of these things out - could you give a little detail on that subject?
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